Behind Newman’s Play, Santa Margarita Crushes El Modena

MISSION VIEJO —  Billy Newman scored three touchdowns in just over three quarters as third-ranked Santa Margarita rolled to a 51-6 victory over El Modena in a Southern Section Division V playoff game Friday at Saddleback College.

Newman, who was held to less than 70 yards when the Eagles defeated El Modena in the regular season, scored on runs of 39, six and 54 yards on the muddy field. Santa Margarita advances to play Valencia.

Santa Margarita scored on its opening drive when Newman, who accounted for all 65 yards of the drive, ran 39 for the score. Newman finished with 175 yards in 11 carries.

After a blocked punt gave the Eagles (10-1) the ball at the El Modena 11, Carson Palmer scored the first of his two touchdowns, running 11 yards for the score.

Newman made the score 21-0 with a six-yard run before El Modena (4-7) scored on a halfback pass when Jerome Anderson threw 30 yards to Mike Walters, making the score 21-6.

After taking over on the El Modena 21 after a bad snap botched the punt attempt, Palmer ran 10 yards to make the score 27-6 at the half.

Palmer scored his third touchdown of the night on a 54-yard run and Nick Sparks set a school record for most extra points in a season with his 38th of the year, making the score 34-6.